Local Man Will Speak Major League Umpire Experience

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Local boy-turned-Major League Baseball umpire Chris Conroy will talk about his journey to the show on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall on the campus of Williams College.

"Calling It As I See It" is free and open to the public.

The 1992 Mount Greylock Regional High School graduate was a captain of the basketball and baseball teams in his senior year. He continued his education at Siena College in the Albany, N.Y., area, graduating in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in English.

In 2000, the North Adams resident decided that he wanted to be a big-league umpire. He enrolled in the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Kissimmee, Fla., and shortly after completing his training was assigned to the New York-Penn League.

From there, Conroy slowly ascended the ladder toward the majors, working in various leagues, including three years in Double-A ball in the Eastern League. He moved up to Triple-A, the league directly below the Major Leagues, in 2006, working games in the Pacific Coast League. In 2007, he moved on to the International League and the Arizona Fall League.

In 2010, he was called to the majors, making his debut at Shea Stadium and later working games at Camden Yards. He worked a total of five Major League Baseball games in 2010. This past summer, he was called on to work 78 games.

The Williamstown native has deep roots in the community. His family has lived in Williamstown since 1960. His father, Ed, worked at and managed Hart's Pharmacy, a Spring Street mainstay, for decades. His mother, Anne, is a retired nurse who spent seven years as a night nurse at the Williams Health Center.

In 2005, Conroy married Williams graduate Becky Logue. The couple now has twin daughters, Maeve and Meiris.

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Interesting story. Love to hear about people finding a way to make a living doing what they love. Good for you.